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Welcome to our “Ask Dr. Paola” sequence, the place each and every Monday we convey professional recommendation directly from Dr. Paola Cuevas (MVZ) to lend a hand our readers higher perceive their cat’s well being and well-being.
Whether or not you’re a brand new puppy mother or father or a seasoned cat lover, Dr. Paola is right here to supply solutions on your maximum urgent questions. From vitamin pointers and preventive care to troubleshooting not unusual behavioral problems, Dr. Paola is able to be offering insights that may stay your kitty glad, wholesome, and pussycat high quality. Keep tuned for professional steering on a variety of subjects that subject maximum to you and your cat, so you’ll make knowledgeable selections and give you the perfect conceivable handle your bushy better half.
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Assist! My Hepper Loves Sitting on My Computer!
“ Why does my cat always sit on my laptop the second I open it? She could be asleep across the room but she hears it open, and she will wake up to lay on the keys. I feel bad moving her but I’d get no work done if I just let her win. What should I do? ” – Gia (Sunny’s Mother)
Pricey Gia,
Sunny’s love in your computer appears to be a mixture of convenience, interest and discovered habits. Cats naturally search heat, and the computer gives a comfy heated spot that Sunny would possibly in finding impossible to resist. It is vitally most likely that the sound of the computer opening has change into a cue or sign for her. Sunny discovered that if she is going and sits in your computer she is going to be capable to clutch your consideration, straight away reinforcing her want to do it. While you focal point at the computer, Sunny would possibly see it as festival (in your consideration) and to make sure she turns into your precedence, she has discovered a option to take middle degree. This habits additionally displays her territorial instincts, as she is also marking the computer together with her smell to say it—and also you—as hers.
You’ll be able to attempt to redirect her focal point, via putting a heat, inviting mattress or blanket close to your workspace, or a cat mattress just like the Cat Nest that sits effectively any place (particularly on desks!)—simply be sure you praise her when she makes use of it. Interactive toys too can stay her engaged whilst you paintings. And keep in mind, Sunny is simply expressing her affection and reference to you, and because she most likely were given what she sought after, it is important to consider what she will get.
Operant conditioning in accordance with certain reinforcement can lend a hand her expand new conduct. And, you will have to no longer really feel dangerous about transferring her, so long as you do it gently it’s completely adequate. Simply don’t let this change into a struggle. If she insists, you could want to continue to make it bodily not possible for her to get there via final a door. Over the years, she is going to be told that leaping at the computer does no longer get her what she desires. However, please do be offering her extra fascinating possible choices.
Best possible needs!Dr. Paola
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Assist! My Hepper is a Drama Queen!
“Every time I walk in the front door, my cat Teega greets me with dramatic meows like I’ve been gone for years—even if I was only at the mailbox. Is she really that needy, or could something else be going on?” – Sara
Hello Sara,
Do you know that cats most effective meow to their moms when they’re kittens? As adults, they forestall meowing at different cats and reserve this habits completely for people. Cats be told as kittens that meowing will get them consideration, meals, heat, and different comforts from their moms. After they develop up, they switch this habits to their people to satisfy identical wishes—consideration, meals, playtime, or cuddles.
As dramatic as it would appear, Teega’s meowing while you come house is her means of greeting you with a “Welcome home!” and signaling that she’s able to interact. Teega is most likely hoping for the standard consideration, cuddles, or possibly even meals that you simply supply. If this used to be a case of separation anxiousness you possibly can realize different indicators, so it is very important be aware of them. If Teggas habits has all of sudden modified, this is also a sign that one thing is occurring. But when this meowing is just a greeting it might simply be addressed: you’ll educate Teega to forestall via ignoring her each and every time she does it. Merely stroll via with out reacting and most effective give her consideration as soon as she stops meowing. Be affected person—this may occasionally take time and consistency. If there are other folks within the family, they want to practice the similar means to make sure luck. Consistency is vital when seeking to alter habits.
Sincerely,Dr. Paola
Symbol Credit score: Melissa Sue, Shutterstock
Assist! My Hepper is Scratching All of My Furnishings!
“My cat has a habit of scratching at the carpet and furniture, even though I’ve provided him with scratching posts. Is he marking his territory, or does he just think my couch looks more fun than his scratching post?” – Boots’ Dad, Levi
Hello Levi, you aren’t by myself, cats are territorial and like to mark the entirety as theirs.
You will have carried out the precise factor via offering a scratching publish however now it is important to make your furnishings unwanted too: aluminum foil, stick tape, and deterrent sprays are some choices to take a look at. Because you point out Boots additionally scratches the carpet, it is important to supply a horizontal scratching floor as nicely, the similar factor it is important to make it unwanted for him via attempting a couple of methods. We truly just like the Cat Hello Lo Scratcher as it supplies 3 heights and orientations for scratching, modified very easily, relying at the temper a cat is in.
Every other clue level here’s that Boots would possibly have discovered that via scratching sure stuff as a substitute of others he will get consideration, so those far off correction methods will have to do their magic. The opposite a part of the equation is to make the designated scratching spaces extra fascinating: if Boots likes catnip, you’ll sprinkle some in there, and also you will have to even be reinforcing Boots with a deal with, cuddles, or the chance to play with a favourite toy each and every time he chooses the precise puts to scratch. It’ll take time, consistency, and repetition, however it’s no doubt conceivable.
This text is part of our weekly Ask Dr. Paola sequence
